SZÉCHÉNYI

PIANO MUSIC FROM A HUNGARIAN DYNASTY, 1800–1920

ISTVÁN KASSAI & GYÖRGY LÁZÁR

‘The Széchényi family is one of the most prominent of Hungary’s noble families, and the whole Hungarian nation has much to thank them for. I hope these delightful and enjoyable dances – once their scores have also been published – will find their place in international musical life.’

– István Kassai

‘This album preserves outstanding and sophisticated music that could become an integral part of pianists’ repertoire. Given that several members of the Széchényi family were extremely accomplished musicians, I feel honoured to be able to contribute something towards the ‘resurrection’ of their works.’

– György Lázár

Listen to an excerpt from Ödön Széchényi’s Regatta Foursome
SZÉCHÉNYI - PIANO MUSIC FROM A HUNGARIAN DYNASTY, 1800-1920
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Széchényi simplified family tree

The Széchényi dynasty stood at the heart of Hungary’s political and musical life in the 19th and 20th centuries. Their ideal milieu lay in vibrant, melodious dance-patterned music, of which Imre’s Waltz No. 1 is a perfect example. Ödön’s highly accomplished works reflect his sophisticated wit, whilst in Franciska, Hungary had its first female composer, and in Gisa, the world’s first female film composer.
FÉLICIE SZÉCHÉNYI (1838–1920)
1
DORETTE, POLKA FRANÇAISE, OP. 4 (02:52)
2
HERZBLATT, POLKA-MAZUR (‘SWEETHEART’), OP. 1 (03:46)
3
IMMER LUSTIG, POLKA FRANÇAISE (‘ALWAYS CHEERFUL’) (02:53)
4
7 UHR FRÜH, POLKA SCHNELL (‘7 IN THE MORNING’), OP. 3 (01:43)
FRANCISKA SZÉCHÉNYI (1783–1861)
5
6 LÄNDLER (02:39)
LAJOS SZÉCHÉNYI (1781–1855)
3 MAGYAR TÁNTZOK (‘3 HUNGARIAN DANCES’) (05:28)
6
NO. 1 (02:34)
7
NO. 2 (01:46)
8
NO. 3 (01:08)
9
DEUTSCHER MIT CODA (03:35)
10
10 LÄNDLER UND 1 MAZURKA (08:12)
ÖDÖN SZÉCHÉNYI (1839–1922)
11
HAJÓSEGYLETI POLKA (‘SHIPOWNERS ASSOCIATION POLKA’) (02:30)
12
MARIEN-POLKA (01:59)
13
VISZONTLÁTÁSI ÖRÖMHANGOK KERINGŐ
(‘JOYFUL SOUNDS UPON MEETING AGAIN’, WALTZ) (07:44)
14
PULL-ON! GALOPP (02:38)
15
REGATTA NÉGYES (‘REGATTA FOURSOME’) (PANTALON – ÉTÉ – POULE – TRÉNIS – PASTOURELLE – FINALE) (04:21)
16
EZ AZ ÉLET GYÖNGYÉLET, CSILLI CSÁRDÁS
(‘THIS LIFE IS A PEARLY LIFE’) (03:14)
17
HABLEÁNY POLKA (‘MERMAID POLKA’) (01:56)
GISA SZÉCHÉNYI (1890–1945)
18
ABENDSONNE (‘SETTING SUN’) – ACT III: VORSPIEL
(ARR. ROBERT GOUND, 1865–1927) (03:23)
ANDOR SZÉCHÉNYI (1865–1907)
19
EIN MARSCH MEHR! (‘ONE MORE MARCH!’) (02:47)
20
GEDANKEN-WALZER (‘THINKING WALTZ’) (06:14)
21
TRITSCH-TRATSCH-POLKA (03:10)
IMRE SZÉCHÉNYI (1825–1898)
22
3 WALZER FOR PIANO FOUR HANDS – NO. 1 (06:01)

TOTAL TIME: 77:17

WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDINGS
István Kassai

István Kassai graduated as a pianist from the Budapest Academy of Music in 1982 studying in the class of Pál Kadosa. He pursued his second diploma at the Conservatoire Européen de Musique under the close supervision of the world-famous professor Yvonne Lefébure. He also undertook several master courses, including one led by György Cziffra, who had a great impact on Kassai’s artistic development. During his career, Kassai has won several first prizes in international competitions such as the International Piano Competition for Young Artists in Czechoslovakia, and the Paris International Debussy Piano Competition. He has been a full member of the Hungarian Academy of Art since 2013.

György Lázár

György Lázár studied with Katalin Halmágyi at the Béla Bartók Conservatory in Budapest, with Rita Wagner at the Teacher Training College of the Liszt Academy, Budapest, and attended masterclasses with Malcolm Bilson and Ferenc Rados, among others. Lázár has appeared around the world with the Opera House ensemble and the Ernő Dohnányi Symphony Orchestra, also organising chamber music concerts with musicians from the Opera House. Lázár regularly appears with the Yvette Bozsik dance ensemble and the Arts Harmony artists’ society, of which he is artistic director. In 2004 György Lázár was awarded the Cross of Merit of the Republic of Hungary.

℗ & © 2018 HNH International Ltd.